N04105:148
The sound believer. A treatise of evangelical conversion. Discovering the work of Christ's spirit,…
The sound believer. A treatise of evangelical conversion. Discovering the work of Christ's spirit, in reconciling of a sinner to God. / By Thomas Shepard, sometime of Emanuel-College in Cambridge, since preacher of God's word in New-England. ; [One line from Matthew]
Boston: printed by Green for D. Henchman, 1742
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
The first may affect Reprobates, as Saul and Judas, who were sore distressed when they felt the Anguish of Conscience by sin.
The second is only in those who are actually justified, called, and sanctified, who lament sin as it is against God, and a God reconciled to them, and as it is against the Life of God begun in them; and hence they cry out of it as a Body of Death.
The third, the Elect feel at this first stroke and wound which the Spirit gives them; the Anguish of sin indeed lies sore upon them, but this much more. Christ is come to seek that which is lost, Luke 15.7. The Sheep is lost, when, first, it is separated and gone from the Owner; secondly, when it knows not how to return again, unless the Shepherd find it and carry it home: so that Soul is properly and truly lost, that feels it self separated and gone from God, knowing not how to return to him again, unless the Lord come and take it upon his shoulders, and carry it in his Arms: This lies heavy upon it, viz. that it is ⟨p. 69⟩gone from God, and wholly separated from all Union to him, and Communion with him. You may observe, John 16.9. that the Spirit convinces of Sin; how? because they believe not in me, i. e. Because they shall see and feel themselves quite separated from me; they shall hear of my Glory and Riches of Mercy, and that Happiness which all that have me, shall and do enjoy; but they shall mourn that they have no Part nor Portion in these Things; they shall mourn that they live without me, and that they have lived so long without me.